Tarot cards can represent people — protagonists, antagonists, or supporting characters. They can depict locations — meadows, wooded glens, or sunny seashores. They can suggest scenes, snippets of dialogue, and entire conversations. Best of all, they can inspire some weird and wonderful plot twists.

The Quickstart Method

Adding tarot and astrology to your writing practice is easy. Start with a single card, like the Wheel of Fortune.

Let’s write

Study the card image for a moment. What do you notice first? What’s the most obvious thing about the scene?
Describe the main character:
- What does she look like?
- What is she doing?
- What can you tell by her clothing, demeanor, expression, and body language?
What’s going on in the background?
What do you think is happening behind the scenes?
Extract as much information as you can. Describe the card completely, from top to bottom, or simply list the images and symbols you see.
Does the card remind you of a person, a place, or an event you’ve experienced? How so?
What surprises you about this card?

Notepad

A single card is often enough to inspire an entire story. You can start right now! Use this space to record your observations.

“Corrine Kenner is good. Honestly.”

— Kissa

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Cast and Crew

It’s easy to create detailed, multi-dimensional characters based on the cards. Start with a basic profile checklist, and the Page of Wands on the right. If the answers aren’t obvious, make educated guesses, pull additional cards, or use your intuition.

Questions

Is your character a man or a woman?
How old is your character?
What does your character look like?
What does your character do for a living?
How does your character spend his or her free time?
Does your character have a spouse, children, or a pet?
What are your character’s hopes and dreams?
What does your character fear most?

Scratch Pad

A single card is often enough to inspire an entire story. You can start right now! Use this space to record your observations.

“It was pretty amazing how the cards … brought the characters out of my head. I am very happy that with roughly two hours work, I was able to outline a 90-page script.”

— Jaheath

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Many tarot decks come with guidebooks. You can pull inspiration from them, too. Here’s an example from the Wizards Tarot Handbook.

A Lonely Librarian

Mandrake’s school librarian usually scurries through the archives as quickly and quietly as a mouse. He’s hard to corner, and you might only catch a glimpse of him before he disappears into a secret alcove or a hidden reading room. He occasionally teaches a class in candle magic, but you’ll have to register early: the Hermit doesn’t like crowds, so enrollment is extremely limited.

Key Symbols

The school librarian is an old man, stooped with age and wrapped in a heavy, hooded cloak. He moves through the shadows of ancient tomes by the light of a hand-dipped candle. He carries the light of wisdom for others to follow, but he doesn’t go out of his way to attract attention.
The Hermit card usually represents wisdom, prudence, and illumination, as well as philosophy, introspection, and meditation. The card also illustrates the concept of solitude and the power of silence.
The Hermit’s constant companion is a mouse, a symbol of quiet watchfulness, observation, and attention to detail.
The Hermit is carrying a book inscribed with a glyph for Virgo, the sign of work, duty, and service. Virgos are hard-working, practical, resourceful, and organized — but they sometimes isolate themselves in an effort to live up to their own high standards. In Latin, Virgo means “unmarried” or “self-possessed.”
Virgos can be critical — but they’re usually most critical of themselves. They’re also extremely helpful. Once you seek them out, they’re more than willing to share the wisdom they’ve accumulated on their own journeys
One of the books behind the Hermit is marked with the Hebrew letter Yod, a simple form that looks like a flame. It means hand, and it signifies the hand of God. It’s also a form that’s incorporated in every other letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

Scratch Pad

A single card is often enough to inspire an entire story. You can start right now! Use this space to record your observations.

“Learn to take one card and turn it into a character, a sentence, a scene. Then take another and continue the story … The possibilities are limited only by your own imagination.”

— Michelle Meltzer

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It’s no secret that writers have long used astrology as a tool for character development. Writing teachers commonly suggest that their students turn to astrological texts to research the traits of various personalities.

Try it for yourself, with Justice — the Libra card.

Libra, the Sign of Balance

Libra makes an excellent partner in crime — or in creation. She’s a social creature, with a fondness for dialogue and expansive discourse. When you include her in your stories, you’ll soon feel like you’re writing about a friend.

Ruling Planet. Like Taurus, Libra is ruled by Venus, the planet of love and attraction. Both Libra and Venus represent the epitome of charm and grace, designed to attract and appeal.
Physical Association. Libra rules the kidneys, which help keep the whole body in balance, as well as the lower back, the graceful seat of power.
Signature Animal. Almost everyone is familiar with the scales of balance, as well as the goddess of Justice who’s usually seen holding them. It’s a reminder that your Libra character is dedicated to the pursuit of balance and equanimity — even if she struggles to achieve that balance for herself.
It’s interesting to note that Libra is the only sign that’s not represented by a living creature. That’s odd, because Libra is probably the most social animal in the zodiac. Librans have an innate need to balance themselves through relationships with others. They are exceptionally social creatures, with social and humanitarian ideals. They also crave human connection through the beauty and harmony of art and culture.
Libra is skilled at solving problems, compromising, and arranging diplomatic solutions for any conflict. Libra knows there are two sides to every story, and when called upon to mediate, can be an exceptional arbitrator. Occasionally, Libra’s need to see both sides of any issue can make it seem indecisive. Libra’s charm, however, makes up for it.
Glyph. The glyph for Libra looks like a perfectly balanced set of scales.
House Rulership. Libra is the seventh sign. It rules the seventh house of the zodiac, where astrologers look for information about marriage and partnership — as well as open enemies. If that doesn’t make sense at first, think about your ex-husband.
Mode. The Sun is in Libra between September 23 and October 22. The sign marks the first month of autumn. That makes it a cardinal sign: it takes a leadership position, and initiates change and forward movement. Libra is a cardinal sign. Its start marks the first day of fall. Like Aries and Cancer before it, Libra is a leader and an initiator, an agent of change and decisive action. cardinal air sign of Libra, which makes her a gracious and charming leader.
Element. Libra is also an air sign. In astrology, element of air symbolizes intellectual energy — and Libra is intelligent. It’s extroverted, communicative, and conversational. Libra is interested in others — and she’s able to express that interest in an utterly charming fashion.

Career Advice

Libra is uniquely equipped to serve as a judge, arbitrator, negotiator, mediator, marriage therapist, ambassador, artist, musician, or dancer.

Costume Department

Any planet or personality in Libra is automatically graceful, charming, and easy on the eye. Like her ruler Venus, Libra will dress herself in fashion’s most becoming styles, tailored to perfection, and designed to attract admiration and appeal. Look for an engagement or wedding ring; partnership is important to a Libra.

Any character in Libra will be physically attractive, with or without clothing. Libra women have the figure of a dancer, with equally graceful movements and poses.

Most Librans have a matched set of dimples, either on their cheeks, noses, knees, or elbows. They have symmetrical, heart-shaped faces with chiseled, refined features. They might not be classic beauties, but they’re always physically striking.

Libra characters also have melodious voices and infectious laughter.

The Libra Writer

If you are a Libra writer, with the Sun, Moon, or Mercury in Libra, you have a gift for understanding complex relationships. You’re able to tackle difficult subjects with charm and grace, and balance both sides of any issue. While you might be good writing about legal affairs and business arrangements, you’d probably rather write about the finer pleasures in life — especially love, romance, and culture. You’re a fair-minded patron of the arts, and you’d make an excellent art, movie, and theater critic.

Libra Writing Prompts

Libra is the sign of balance and partnership. Is your character in a relationship? Describe his partner.
How did they meet?
Now describe the relationship. What does your character get from his partner, and what does he give?
What keeps them together?
How will your character cope when his relationship is threatened? Will he celebrate, or will he be unbalanced? Write it and see.
Describe a particularly bad breakup your character suffered in the past.
Send your character to a marriage therapist. What will he discuss?
Our most intimate partners also know our darkest secrets and our deepest fears. What secrets could your character’s partner tell you about him?
Most Librans try to find themselves by comparing and contrasting their own experience with other people. What does your character see when he looks into a mirror or catches his reflection in a store window?
Libra is an air sign, signifying its connection to intellect and thought. Does your hero follow his head or his heart? How so?
Think of the Libra signature as the scales of justice, and plunge your character into a legal nightmare. Divorce might work, or embezzlement, or any dispute that involves the betrayal of trust in a relationship.
Write about a lawyer, a judge, or an officer of the court.
What do you believe about justice? Is it a theme of your work?
Write about a character who must choose the lesser of two evils.
Now write about a character who must choose the greater of two evils.
Write about an unlikely partnership between good and evil.
Write about an arranged marriage.
Libra is ruled by Venus, the planet of love, beauty, and attraction. Unfortunately, the word Venus is the source of the word venereal. If you want to plunge your hero headfirst into drama and conflict, you might want to infect him with an unpleasant social disease.
Describe your character’s musical tastes. What is his favorite song?
Libra is an artistic sign. Draw, paint, sketch, or create a collage about a character with all the attributes you can link to the qualities of a sign — whether that happens to be Libra, or not.